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IDS is at risk of closure as Government does not decide on funding.

21st December 2018

The Irish Deaf Society is at risk of closure as Government does not decide on funding.

Despite promises of a decision from the HSE in November, the Society has no news and no indication of when a decision will be made, good or bad. As a result, the organisation has been paralysed and unable to make key business decisions.

The Government and the HSE, which is reviewing our core funding application, are fully aware of our situation and despite Government supportfor our cause, no decision effectively means that the State is allowing us to run the risk of closure.

The closure of our services will have a huge negative impact on our community one year on from the approval of the Irish Sign Language Act. For many this will call into question the Government’s commitment to supporting the Deaf Community.

First thing in the New Year, we will consult with staff and senior management to develop a plan to begin the process of reducing our services and prepare for the possibility of the winding-up of IDS, without core funding it may not possible for the IDS to survive.

In order to protect the rights of staff we will be issuing ‘at risk’ protective notice in January.

The IDS are extremely disappointed that the Government and agencies cannot identify and agree a source of funding for the critical services that we offer to the Deaf community.